Creative Outlooks - Ribby Hall - A Tranquil Piece of Oasis
Jun, 21 2025
Every day people take regular visits to the five and star holiday and leisure venue simply known as Ribby Hall. I’ll be unearthing some historical facts present relevance that makes this venue so attractive for the interested public. That’s the focus for this month’s ‘Creative Outlooks’.
In it’s early incarnation Ribby Hall didn’t have the glamour and style we see today. It dates back to the Hornby family, well established members of the Kirkham merchant class and the first occupiers and owners of the Hall. There is also another significant owner –William Duckworth.
William was a man from humble beginnings whose commercial acumen led to his establishing an economically successful international company, the legacy of which continues to this day. Employed as a druggist’s apprentice to the firm of Ainsworth and Clayton at Northgate, Blackburn he soon invested some considerable time exploring his entrepreneurial skills which came to the fore in 1884, at the age of 23 when he partnered with Samuel Kirtlan.
They were a successful business duo manufacturing chemists and mineral water. It was bottled drinks in particular that William developed his niche at and had a relatively good income.
By 1904 William took the lease of Ribby Hall from the Hornby family in which he eventually bought it and the grounds in 1916. In time William and his family left Ribby Hall and was then utilised by the Royal Cross School for the Deaf until 1969 which became the site for the Royal Lancashire Show. It was then converted to flats in 1982. In recent years it has been closely connected with the Harrison family, who have developed the neighbouring Ribby Hall Village.
For the next quarter of an hour please watch this Tour of Ribby Hall Village in Wrea Green to get an idea of the magnitude of this magnificent venue –
As mentioned earlier the Harrison family played a major part in how we see Ribby Hall today. Having purchased a partly developed and derelict ‘caravan site’ in Wrea Green – Lancashire, the Harrison family saw real potential especially as there was a 100 acre site to play with.
A visit to Ribby Hall can be assured of the following –
- Health Club
- Leisure activities
- SPA Hotel
- Restaurants
- Nursery and Pre school
- Conference facilities
- Wedding Venues
Plus so much more.
Chief Executive Paul Harrison reflects on that very first visit: “My father was 72 at the time but he clearly wanted one more business challenge. So, despite the numerous unknowns, concerns and raised eyebrows, he bought it within days!”
Construction began July 1994 on 175 cottages, 350 holiday homes, a hotel, sports facility, shop and a restaurant. Paul joined his father in the business in 1995 and together they set about turning their dream into a reality.
For more information on Ribby Hall simply visit the following website link –
Sadly, Paul’s father Bill wasn’t alive to see the fulfilment of his sons’ dreams and am sure Paul had his father’s visionary outlook when developing Ribby Hall.
Paul reflects on the progress –
“He’d be surprised to see how far we have come, but I like to think he’d be delighted at how we’ve surpassed his original vision. I’m sure he would approve of the high standards we set throughout The Village but, mostly, I think he would be astonished that we employ almost 600 people and would be very proud of the positive impact we have had on the local community.”
This tranquil piece of oasis retreat is ideal for relaxation and leisure time. There is so much to enjoy and appreciate given the historical past and the present facts. We all want to leave behind a legacy after we’re gone and the greatest thing Paul’s dad did was his contribution to the expansive Ribby Hall we see today.
^Alex Ashworth CCG Art Blogger
